Municipal Law Program (MLP)

This four unit program provides students with a general understanding of municipal legal matters and the knowledge of how far to proceed before seeking professional advice. A Certificate of Completion is awarded once you have successfully completed each MLP Unit. Although it is recommended that you register to take one unit at a time, we do leave the decision up to the individual. You are the best person to determine if you can commit to the curriculum and schedule for more than one unit during the same term. Successful completion of all four units within a three-year timeline is one of the four elements of AMCTO's Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA).

Each year, AMCTO presents an award for excellence to the student who attains the highest cumulative mark upon completion of the four units of this program.

Program Format

MLP is available in two formats:

Correspondence Format: In this format, you are required to read the textbook and submit assignments through AMCTO Connect online learning platform. This format does not require you to join a meeting, web conference, or call at a specific time but rather you work at your own pace according to a given schedule, to accomplish the assignments. You will be assigned to a marker who will grade your submissions. If you have questions the marker can answer them, but there is no live lecture or instruction. Instead, all activities and communication are performed via AMCTO Connect.
Zoom Format: In this format, you are also required to read the textbook and submit assignments according to a given schedule, through the online learning platform AMCTO Connect. However in this format, you will be assigned to an instructor, who will deliver a series of live classes through Zoom so you are also required to attend the classes at the scheduled times. Assignment due dates are usually in between the classes.
NEW - As of the Winter 2023, there are no longer end of unit exams in MLP. The exams were replaced with a final assignment. Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Correspondence Format Tuition Fees

$435.05 ($385.00 + $50.05 HST) for each unit.

All course materials including the textbook are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $40 fee applies and the total will be $480.25 ($385.00 + $40.00 + $55.25 HST). Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.

Correspondence Course Refund Policy: A student who cancels from any Unit before the first scheduled assignment due date is entitled to a partial refund of fees less a refund levy of $113.00 ($100.00 + $13.00 HST). In order to receive the partial refund, you must submit written notice of your cancellation to Education Department. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first scheduled assignment due date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.

Zoom Format Tuition Fees

$536.75 ($475.00 + $61.75 HST) for each unit.

All course materials are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $40 fee applies and the total will be $581.95 ($475.00 + $40.00 + $66.95 HST). Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.

Zoom Format Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Education Department. A refund levy of $113.00 per unit ($100.00 + $13.00 HST) will be applied to all cancellations received up to fourteen (14) business days prior to event date. Refunds are not granted for cancellations made within thirteen (13) days or less of the event date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.

Unit Descriptions & Registration for Correspondence Format

MLP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Law

Provides a general context of the law and the legal framework governing Municipalities. It also introduces students to the infrastructure of Municipal organization and operation. Further, the lessons provide an overview of the Municipal Act of 2001 and address legal and philosophical issues of statutory interpretation. Other topics in the Unit deal with Municipal by-laws and how to define, draft, enforce and defend them. The Unit concludes with a discussion of how to manage Municipal records.

Registration is open from December 1 to January 6 for the Winter 2023 correspondence format (unless reaches capacity for assigned markers).

MLP Unit 1 Outline

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MLP Unit 2 - Municipal Torts

Examines tort law in the context of Municipal liability. In particular, it addresses issues related to liability in enforcement activities, public works activities, and recreational activities. The Unit also examines liability in matters dealing directly with Municipal politicians for things like negligence, unlawful interference with economic interests, libel and slander, breach of trust, abuse of office and the like. The discussion also includes various remedies under tort law, with an emphasis on the classification, measure and awarding of damages. Other topics in the Unit include limitation periods in law. The Unit concludes with a discussion of insurance, including their acquisition and the process of making of claims.

Registration is open from December 1 to January 6 for the Winter 2023 correspondence format (unless reaches capacity for assigned markers).

MLP Unit 2 Outline

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MLP Unit 3 - Municipal Contracts

Focuses on contract law and their application to Municipalities. The lessons cover subjects such as the formation of contracts and their statutory framework. The discussion also addresses the various elements of a contract and the principles surrounding its termination. Other topics in the Unit include the analysis of a contract, various types of contracts, the capacity to contract, as well as the basic procedures of drafting of a contract.

Registration is open from December 1 to January 6 for the Winter 2023 correspondence format (unless reaches capacity for assigned markers).

MLP Unit 3 Outline

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MLP Unit 4 – Municipal Land Related Law

Focuses on Municipal land-related law. It addresses core topics like landholding and landowners, ownership and other interests in land. It also examines issues related to descriptions, plans and surveys in Ontario. The Unit further provides a discussion of the Planning Act, including a detailed analysis of Provincial plans, Provincial policy statements and related official plans. Other significant and often highly controversial subjects within the Planning Act covered in the Unit are zoning and site plan control. The Unit also addresses issues of land division and the development permit system associated with the Planning Act. The remaining topics in the Unit include discussions about statutes creating a lien on land, Municipal tax collection, Municipal land dealings and the Building Code Act of 1992.

Registration is open from December 1 to January 6 for the Winter 2023 correspondence format (unless reaches capacity for assigned markers).

MLP Unit 4 Outline

Register

Registration for Zoom Format

MLP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Law (4 Days)

Limited Spaces - Registration will be open from December 1 to January 6 unless class reaches capacity. There are no waiting lists.

Dates for MLP Unit 1 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
February 10, 24, March 10 & 24
Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Instructor: David N. Germain, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see David's full BIO.

Register

MLP Unit 2 Classes - Municipal Torts (4 Days)

Limited Spaces - Registration will be open from December 1 to January 6 unless class reaches capacity. There are no waiting lists.

Dates for MLP Unit 2 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
April 21, May 5, 19 & June 2
Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Instructor: Al Burton, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see Al's full BIO.

Register

MLP Unit 3 - Municipal Contracts (4 Days)

Next offering of the zoom format will be during the Fall 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.

Instructor: Denitza Koev, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see Denitza's full BIO.

MLP Unit 4 - Municipal Land Related Law (4 Days)

Next offering of the zoom format will be during the Fall 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.

Instructor: Denitza Koev, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see Denitza's full BIO.

Challenging a MLP Unit

Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role to receive approval to challenge any unit of MLP. Challenging any unit of MLP is an opportunity to receive credit for a specific MLP Unit without submitting assignments. Approved applicants will be required to submit a paper and write an exam for each unit. An overall minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained to gain credit for the specific MLP Unit you are challenging.

Challenge Fee with PDF version of textbook: $282.50 per unit (250.00 + 32.50 HST #R106732936)
Challenge Fee with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook: $327.70 per unit (250.00 + 40.00 + 37.70 HST #R106732936)

Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in registering to challenge any MLP Unit, submit the MLP Challenge Application to Education Department.
(only available when the correspondence registration is open).